Apparently, the three immediately told Mikazuki Ishikirimaru’s current dilemma and pushed the eldest towards Ishikirimaru’s room with threats that Mikazuki wouldn’t be having any dinner if he wouldn’t be able to help Ishikirimaru.

Mikazuki only gave them an amused chuckle as response even when Imanotsurugi slammed Ishikirimaru’s door shut right in front of Mikazuki’s face, the click of the lock ringing loudly in the room signifying that the two oldest were trapped inside.

Ishikirimaru sighed at that, slumping at his chair while Mikazuki made himself comfortable on the younger’s bed. “It looks like I have no choice but to help you, Ishikirimaru-kun.” Mikazuki chuckled again.

Ishikirimaru faced his desk and opened one of his books. He tried his best to look busy, re-reading the chapter their teacher had assigned to them, but it looked like Mikazuki knew his brothers better than they expected.

“Ishikirimaru-kun, I know you have read that, so if you don’t mind, let us talk about your problem.” Mikazuki said, giving a carefree smile at Ishikirimaru when the younger turned his head to look at him.

Ishikirimaru sighed for the umpteenth time that day. He turned his chair to fully face Mikazuki and inhaled deeply, placing his hands neatly on his lap. “What did they say to you?”

Mikazuki laughed. “Pretty much everything, but I want to hear your side of the story, Ishikirimaru-kun.” His eyes were sparkling in delight, and Ishikirimaru forced himself to not sigh again. Mikazuki was obviously looking for a way to make Ishikirimaru flustered.

Mikazuki seriously needed to stop hanging around Tsurumaru.

With a deep inhale, Ishikirimaru re-told what happened to Mikazuki, blushing and stuttering the whole time. The older Munechika listened intently, nodding his head every once in a while. Ishikirimaru also caught Mikazuki smirking every once in a while, obviously enjoying Ishikirimaru’s discomfort.

“… and that’s that, I guess…” Ishikirimaru ended, willing his blush away.

Mikazuki hummed, cupping his chin in deep thought. A few seconds passed when Mikazuki finally opened his mouth. “In the end, Ishikirimaru-kun, what matters most is what you feel for her. Do you like her or not?”

Ishikirimaru spluttered indignantly, looking at Mikazuki with widened eyes, completely taken aback by the unexpected question that he almost fell from his chair. A new blush covered Ishikirimaru’s cheeks as he gaped at Mikazuki. “We-well, I don’t dislike Shishiou-san! She didn’t do anything wrong to me after all, but I can’t say that I-I-I li-like her… this is the first time I’ve talk to her, so I don’t really know her…”

Mikazuki hummed again, chuckling at the expression painted on Ishikirimaru’s face. “You look rather adorable today, Ishikirimaru-kun!” he complimented, making Ishikirimaru’s blush deepened.

“Yo-you are supposed to help me, not tease me!” Ishikirimaru exclaimed in a flustered. Mikazuki laughed at that.

When Mikazuki finally calmed down, he spoke again. “Well, speaking frankly, Ishikirimaru-kun, does Shishiou-kun has a chance for you?” his face looked serious this time around, assuring Ishikirimaru that the elder wasn’t playing with him.

Ishikirimaru lowered his head, deep in thought. Did Shishiou have a chance? She was a rather lovely girl not only in Ishikirimaru’s opinion but in more than half of the male students in their school. She was also nice and caring to others. Imanotsurugi wasn’t one to warm up at strangers instantly, and the fact that Imanotsurugi called Shishiou both pretty and kind was enough proof that Shishiou’s personality was not a façade.

With a blush, Ishikirimaru answered. “We-well, yes, she does have… a chance…” he was blushing anew again with Mikazuki smiling in delight at his brother’s honesty.

“Then, you should tell her that. Suggest being friends first, and after things get comfortable between the two of you then you will give her your answer.” Mikazuki said, standing up from his position on the bed and walking towards the door. He gave the knob a turn, unlocking the door.

Mikazuki swung the door open and was greeted by a scandalized looking Imanotsurugi. The girl was pointing at the door as if it was the most offending in the whole world. “How are you able to open that?!” she exclaimed.

Mikazuki chuckled, patting the girl’s head fondly. “The door can be locked in the inside as well as in the outside, Imanotsurugi-kun. Anyway, I have helped Ishikirimaru-kun. Am I going to have dinner?” he asked playfully.

Imanotsurugi pouted at the revelation regarding the doors and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Well, if Ishi-nii isn’t troubled anymore…” she said, smiling at Mikazuki and Ishikirimaru before skipping downstairs, exclaiming that she would help Iwatooshi with dinner.

The two could only chuckle at Imanotsurugi’s antics. When they recovered, Ishikirimaru smiled at Mikazuki. “Thank you very much, Mikazuki-niisan. I’ll take your advice to heart.”

Mikazuki chuckled again. “I’m happy to be of help, Ishikirimaru-kun.” He said, leaving Ishikirimaru’s room for his own.

“Why do you need to give her something, Ishi-nii?” Imanotsurugi asked curiously, holding Ishikirimaru’s hand tightly as she skipped beside him.

Ishikirimaru blushed slightly, looking at the bag he held with his free hand. “Well, you see, I left her hanging today. I guess it would be fair if I give her something…” he laughed awkwardly.

Imanotsurugi just hummed, biting at her crepe and in delight when the sweet taste erupted in . This was the main reason why she liked going out with Ishikirimaru. He always bought her some treats once they were on the way home.

When they came home, it was already dinnertime. Iwatooshi scolded Imanotsurugi for eating something sweet before supper, saying that it would upset her appetite, but the youngest Munechika just gave Iwatooshi some puppy eyes, making her older brothers melt at the cuteness.

Kogitsunemaru teased Ishikirimaru during the whole dinner. Kogitsunemaru only stopped when Mikazuki started to ask on how was his relationship with Nakigitsune. Imanotsurugi, who didn’t know Nakigitsune, asked about the white haired Hitofuri, prolonging Kogitsunemaru’s embarrassment.

Ishikirimaru sent a grateful look at Mikazuki for the safe. Mikazuki only smiled, but that smile disappeared when Iwatooshi casually asked about Yamanbagiri.

The next day came too quickly for Ishikirimaru’s taste, and soon enough, he found himself standing in front of class 3-B, Shishiou’s class. With a quick peek inside, Ishikirimaru confirmed Shishiou’s presence inside.

Ishikirimaru inhaled nervously, straightening his uniform out of habit before knocking on the classroom’s door. The noise ceased once he did, and all of the students of 3-B turned to look at him, Shishiou included.

Ishikirimaru rubbed his nape nervously, suddenly finding the ground extremely interesting. “U-um, can I talk with Shishiou-san for a moment?” he asked.

Shishiou shot up from her seat. She gave an excuse to her friend she was talking with before rushing towards Ishikirimaru. “I-Ishikirimaru-san is there anything wrong?” she asked, blushing slightly when she raised her head to look at Ishikirimaru’s face.

Ishikirimaru shook his head. “N-no, there’s nothing wrong. I just, um,” he looked behind Shishiou, observing the eyes of the female’s classmates that were all directed to the two of them. “Can we talk somewhere… private?”

Shishiou turned her head to look behind her as well. “Yes, of course, that will be a good idea.” She said, stepping outside of the room and leading Ishikirimaru somewhere again.

They only stopped walking when they arrived at the school’s rooftop. They could hear some of the conversations below them and could see the other students as they walked to leave school or towards their club activities. Ishikirimaru saw Kogitsunemaru among them, trying to act nonchalant as he followed Nakigitsune towards her club.

“Um, what did you want to talk about, Ishikirimaru-san?” Shishiou asked, making Ishikirimaru jumped in shock.

Ishikirimaru straightened his uniform again, checking his pocket if it had the present he bought. When he was able to feel it, Ishikirimaru was able to inhale in slight relief. “About your confession yesterday…” Ishikirimaru saw Shishiou stiffened making him slap himself mentally. “I-I’m not here to reject you, you see!”

Shishiou’s eye was filled with hope when she looked at Ishikirimaru again. It almost made her silver eye sparkle, and Ishikirimaru decided that disappointment indeed didn’t suit Shishiou. “S-so, you are here to..!”

“Um, about that, you see, except for knowing that you are the student council vice president, I don’t really know anything about you, Shishiou-san.” Ishikirimaru started, studying Shishiou’s face carefully, checking if there was disappointment on it.

When there was none, Ishikirimaru continued. “I bet you don’t really know much about me, so maybe, before I give you my answer, can we become friends first?” he asked tentatively, holding his breath in bated anticipation.

Shishiou lowered her head. “Tha-that’s…” she suddenly raised her head, showing Ishikirimaru her hope-filled eye. “That’s a great idea, Ishikirimaru-san!” she grinned brightly, holding Ishikirimaru’s hands in hers.

“E-eh…?” Ishikirimaru stupidly said, blushing brightly when he looked at their intertwined hands and Shishiou’s face that was suddenly very close to his own. He resorted to looking down, finding the way Shishiou tip-toed in order to be in his eye-level quite adorable.

“Being friends with Ishikirimaru-san, that is a very great idea! I like it!” Shishiou exclaimed happily, squeezing Ishikirimaru’s hands. “It’s fine! I’ll wait until you are ready to answer my confession!”

Ishikirimaru raised his head again, looking at Shishiou’s face. His blush brightened when he looked at the delighted expression on Shishiou’s face. “I-I see…” he slowly inched away from Shishiou, trying to tell her to let go of his hands.

Thankfully, Shishiou got the message and let go of Ishikirimaru’s hands, blushing as well. Ishikirimaru cleared his throat, pulling out the present from his pocket. He handed it to Shishiou who looked at the paper bag in slight confusion. “Um, this for yesterday…”

Shishiou accepted it. “Thank you. Why though?” she asked, curiously peering at Ishikirimaru.

“Um, I think it was unfair of me to leave you hanging yesterday, so…” he watched as Shishiou opened the package, taking out the hair clip Ishikirimaru bought for her.

It was a simple one. The clip was white with a pink sakura bloom at the tip. It greatly resembled the envelope Shishiou gave yesterday. Ishikirimaru was nervous whether or not Shishiou would like it, but the smile on her face stopped his worries. When Shishiou put it on, pinning away her bangs, Ishikirimaru couldn’t help but blush again.

“Does it suit me?” Shishiou asked, both of her eyes were looking at Ishikirimaru nervously almost afraid that she would appear ridiculous in front of the man she liked.

“You look adorable.” The blush that was brought by that statement made Shishiou looked more adorable. Ishikirimaru thought with a deep blush.